Drink Champs Episode 468 w/ Erykah Badu and Alchemist
Aug 29, 2025
Erykah Badu, a groundbreaking artist known for her unique sound and live performances, joins forces with The Alchemist, an elite hip-hop producer. They discuss their exciting joint project 'Abi & Alan,' showcasing a blend of soul and grit. The duo shares insights on their creative process, celebrating the importance of friendship and authenticity in music. They also reflect on the evolution of live performances, their influence on hip-hop, and the humorous quirks of personal branding, including a quirky product called 'bottle pussy incense.' Expect laughs and heartfelt moments!
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
How A Longtime Fan Turned Collaborator
- Alchemist met Erykah Badu years earlier as a fan and reconnected through a mutual contact, Cole Chris, who kept the conversation alive by sending beats.
- Erykah says Al sent 10–15 songs and she came to his L.A. studio only when she had enough material to make the session worthwhile.
Get Out Of The Way To Let Ideas Grow
- When collaborating, learn to get out of your partner's way and support their ideas rather than forcing your process.
- Be patient with demos; allow them to develop into something stronger before you finalize the production.
Phone-Free Live Listening Sessions
- Erykah and Alchemist record shows with no phones allowed and give attendees disposable cameras so the performance remains a singular experience.
- They multitrack record a couple shows as a precaution but intentionally design the live set as a listening-session experience.
